PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) - Nationally recognized health and fitness expert and best-selling author, Dr. Art Mollen, and his wife, Paige Mollen, an educator and strategist, have launched The Mollen Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering children to live a healthier lifestyle.

Teaming up with the Valley of the Sun YMCA, The Mollen Foundation launches on June 6, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona with the debut of its "Dr. Art's Healthy Kids" program. Available to children enrolled in the YMCA summer camp at the Lincoln Family Downtown campus, this community-based program is the first of its kind in the country to combine leading-edge, interactive whiteboard learning technology with exercise. The program also offers a complimentary health screening for each child.

"Our goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle in children that includes fitness, nutrition and self-esteem through exercise programs and nutritional education," says Dr. Art Mollen.

The eight-week long Dr. Art's Healthy Kids initiative is an innovative nutrition education and fitness program with lessons delivered through cutting edge interactive technology provided by Promethean, a global leader in 21^st Century interactive learning. The Healthy Kids program, aligned to state and national comprehensive health standards and common core state standards, also provides a child-friendly, voluntary pre- and post-health screening that includes: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose testing, body fat analysis and body mass index.

"The program is unique in that it utilizes technology, a contributor to sedentary behavior, as a preventative learning tool through highly engaging, hands-on lessons that promote movement and fun," says co-founder, Paige Mollen. "The sessions focus on critical thinking and collaboration to prepare children with lifelong essential skills to live healthier lives."

"This program will enhance our family-focused curriculum and offer children enrolled in our summer camp at the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA another opportunity to keep active during the summer," states Kerri O'Brien, spokesperson for the Valley of the Sun YMCA. "We share the same vision as The Mollen Foundation to educate our children by offering them guidance in order to achieve greater health and well-being for their futures."

For more information on The Mollen Foundation and its programs or for volunteer opportunities, please visit www.MollenFoundation.org. For more information on enrollment and to take part in Dr. Art's Healthy Kids Program at the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA, please visit http://www.valleyymca.org/lincoln/ or call 602-257-5138.

About The Mollen Foundation
The Mollen Foundation is comprised of medical experts, sports and fitness professionals, nutritional specialists, educators and key community leaders. Co-Founder Dr. Art Mollen is an osteopathic family physician and nationally recognized health, fitness and preventive medicine expert. Dr. Mollen is the founder of The Mollen Clinic and the Mollen Immunization Clinics of North America. He has authored four bestselling books on health and fitness and is the founder of the Phoenix 10K. Co-Founder Paige Mollen is a lifelong educator, advocate and strategist for underserved populations of students. www.MollenFoundation.org

About The Valley of the Sun YMCA
The Valley of the Sun YMCA is one of the largest human services non-profit organizations in Arizona. As the oldest non-profit in Arizona, the YMCA serves local communities in Maricopa County, Pinal County and Prescott, offering more than 283 programs and 26 social services at 17 locations. Members are welcome regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, age or ability to pay. www.valleyYMCA.org